Rotherham United land loan wing-back
ROTHERHAM United today made their fifth signing of the summer by bringing in Sheffield youngster Jili Buyabu on loan.
The 22-year-old is scheduled to stay with the Millers throughout their League Two campaign that kicks off next month.
Born in Enfield, he is a left wing-back who has had previous temporary spells with Forest Green Rovers, Rochdale and Motherwell.
After starting out with Hornchurch, he move to the Blades in December 2021 and began training with their senior side a year later.
He made his professional debut as a substitute in a Championship 2–1 win over Birmingham City in May 2023 and that remains his only senior appearance for Rotherham's South Yorkshire neighbours.
Last term, he played 37 times for National League Forest Green, scoring seven goals.
His first Millers action may come in tonight's friendly at non-league Darlington.
Meanwhile, free-agent striker Kyle Vassell, who had a pre-season outing with Rotherham 10 days ago, has since been on trial at League One Burton Albion.
The 33-year-old, who spent two and half years at AESSEAL New York Stadium earlier in his career, returned to the PFA's free agent camp after scoring a penalty in a 1-1 draw at Matlock Town before linking up with the Brewers.
Rotherham have no senior centre-forward and haven't ruled out revisiting their interest in the attacker.
“Kyle is one that we had a look at,” head coach Alex Bruce said. “He's gone back to work with the PFA. He's on trial at Burton now. He's someone that we know all about. He's one of our options, but we're actively looking everywhere at the moment.
“I'm assessing my options. I want to put them all in a bowl, and then we'll try and pick the right ones.”
Vassell wasn’t named in the PFA squad for today’s friendly against West Bromwich Albion’s under-21 side.
Meanwhile, centre-half Hamish Douglas has been been given the fitness all-clear after recovering from a tight Achilles.
“He's back training this week,” said Bruce.
Another young centre-back, Harrison Duncan, was left out of the squad for last Saturday’s friendly against the Blades as Rotherham continue to monitor his injury issue.
“He's got a bit of a hamstring that has been troubling him,” Bruce said. “With him being a young boy, we don't want to rush him. We want to give him every chance to get fit.”